Business Overview and Company History
Business Overview
Our brand name “Pro-face” was coined from a combination of professional and interface. We provide a highly user-friendly interface for professionals who work in the industrial automation environment, where operational requirements are stringent. We developed the Pro-face brand of graphic operator interfaces in order to become the "face" of a field noted for its devoted professionals.
Company History
| 1972 | - Digital Electron Corporation was founded in Osaka, Japan, and started manufacturing and selling electronic equipment. |
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| 1974 | - Changed the company name to Digital Electronics Corporation. |
| 1980 | - Opened the head factory in Osaka, Japan. |
| 1981 |  Developed a dedicated computer for a dental office. |
| 1983 | Developed the DP Series, an intelligent programming-free color graphics terminal. |
| 1988 | - Established the Nanko Office (currently the head office) in Osaka, Japan. |
| 1989 | Developed the GP Series, the world’s first programmable display (HMI). |
| 1990 | - Started a telephone technical support service. - Established INDE Electronics, Inc., a development center, in Canada. |
| 1991 | Developed the PL Series, the world’s first panel computer. |
| 1992 | - The Nanko Office started functioning as the head office in Osaka, Japan. |
| 1993 | Launched the GP-230 Series, the industry’s first mid-sized QVGA LCD HMI. |
| 1995 | - Established Pro-face Korea Co., Ltd. in Seoul, South Korea. - Started holiday telephone technical support. Launched the GP70 Series, the industry’s first HMI with a 32-bit RISC chip. |
| 1996 | - Established Pro-face Europe B.V. in Amsterdam, Netherlands. - Received ISO 9001 certification, the international standard for quality management. Developed the industry’s first HMI with controller. |
| 1997 | - Registered with the Japan Securities Dealers Association as an OTC stock. Developed the industry’s first Windows-compatible screen editing software. |
| 1998 | - Established the Izumi Development Office in Osaka, Japan. |
| 1999 | - Entered into a “Windows CE System Integrator” contract with Microsoft Corporation. |
| 2000 | Launched the GP2000 Series, IT HMI, and a new technology which allows for displaying its screens over the Internet. Launched the PS Series Panel Computer with Windows CE installed. |
| 2001 | Launched the LT Series, HMI with controller. - Established Wuxi Pro-face Electronics Co., Ltd. in Wuxi, China. |
| 2002 | - Launched "Otasuke Pro!," Pro-face technical support website. - Entered into a capital tie-up with Schneider Electric S.A. |
| 2003 | Launched the ST Series, small HMI for the market of small-sized graphic operator interface. |
| 2004 | - Received ISO 14001 certification, the international standard for environmental management systems. |
| 2005 | Launched the GP3000 Series, HMI supporting multimedia. |
| 2006 | - Complied with the European RoHS directive to eliminate hazardous substances on all Pro-face models.. Upgraded "GP-Pro EX," HMI screen editor software, to support the Pro-face 3000 Series. |
| 2007 | - Opened a sales office in India, as part of a full-scale expansion into the BRIC countries. - Provided AEDs at all sales offices in Japan and first aid seminars as part of a health and safety campaign. |
| 2008 | - Fully introduced corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and “Table For Two” (food assistance) and Eco-cap campaigns. Launched the PL-3900T Series, an industrial personal computer with 19-inch screen.Received international marine certification for 6 models of the GP3000 Series. - Joined "Green University of Tokyo Project" organized by the Faculty of Engineering of The University of Tokyo to reduce CO2 emissions from university facilities through visualization with HMI. |
| 2009 | Launched the GP-3300U Series, low-light-reflection, ultra high-brightness HMI.Launched the GP4100 Series, compact high-performance HMI. |
| 2010 | Added large, 12.1" display that provides optimal performance in direct sunlight to low-reflectance, high-luminance series. |
| 2011 | - Merged with Arrow Co., Ltd., retaining existing company name of Digital Electronics Corporation.Launched the programmable GP4000 Series display, which uses up to 84% less power than previous Pro-face models. |